Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-02-08
"COLD SHORT"
His Letter In the Current Issue OF "The
Age of Steel"

Age of Steel"
In his letter in the current issue of the
Age Of Steel, Gold Short" has the follow
ing of interest to the Wheeling public:
The nail trade is quiet and the produc-
ers are holding firmly TO the late advance.
The opinion is being republished that the
iron nail is coming forward again, that the
steel nail does not ill the bin. The cur
rent did ut one time, not very distant,
seem to be setting in that direction, and
friends of the old iron nail were growing
iubilant, but think il was only the con-
vulsive throes of an old power resist
ing dethronement. The mass of consum-
erS, learn, are decidedly partial
to the steel nail. To,thc prciudiced Judge il
is easy to detect imaginary flaws in the
most expertly prepared article-the I'M
derstanding is so often the dupe of desire.
The nail occupied an integral position in
the phenomenally forward movement
which modern progress is making during
the latter part of this century-it sustained
the examination and accepted the change
the refinement. There is no good reason
for disintering dead issues; progress never
moves backward. Mechanical processes
when once divcsted of portion of intri-
cacy never return To il unless compelled by
an undoubted loss of merit-and this case
cannot be proven.
Bcssemer iron advanced somewhat
last wcek-why, it is difficult to conjec-
ture unless, rs mentioned in my last let
ter, the apprehended scarcity Of mill irons
has induced some furnaccmen 10 change
their burdens from Besscmer 10 mill re-
quirementS. BeSseincrs are not notably
short in supply. Manufactured iron was
restrained by the producers from advancing
over cents, nevertheless = 1lO will soon
have to he paid for standard brands. There
is no anxiety in this department, however,
and sagaci0us managers arc IN no haste To
anticipate trouble.
Natural gas seems TO be gathering
strength in tins district instead Of losing,
and the great prestige OF the upper Ohio
valley is in no danger. From Pitts
burg to Wheeling the din of in
dustrial activity is growing stronger, and
the new links still needed 10 make the
chain continuous connection, are daily
being forged and welded in their places.
Nature ordained that this district should
he the great iron, steel and glass produc-
lug center and workshop, and to fulfill her
own intentions and perfect her ordinances,
she endowed il with exceptional advan'
tages, auxiliaries and facilities such - are
possessed by no other region on the globe.
Birmingham is undoubtedly well adyan-
tagged, rs are other points in the South but,
compared with the Pittsburg and Wheeling
district, they are only rs the planetary
satellites are 10 the snn. Pittsburg's posi-
ton at the very head of the van il assured
-impregnable, and Wheeling should and
will come second; she il now in q good sup
porting position. II will require the exer-
else of but very ordinary strategy to bring
her, too. into controlling, masterful posi-
tion. Expanding consumption has aug
mented trade requirements, and this com
pels enlargement of productive capacities
and the bringing into use Of all the avail
able and adaptable territory. Pitts
burgh's territory proper has
been pretty well engrossed, clear
up TO and beyond her suburban limits
Available sites are well nigh out Of the
question. Manufacturers hunting adyan-
tage0us sites with ample space, will find
the choicest selections now at Wheeling,
where all the benefits, facilities, advan-
tages, surroundings and capabilities sought
for at Pittsburg exist in equal supply and
with equal force. There is really but little
difference between the two cities, the eli.
mate, geographical position and adyan.
tlgea, geological resources aud possibilities,
characteristics, habits and temperament Of
the population are all identical, except the
one great quality in which Pittsburgers
excel their Wheeling cousins, and that
is liberal, magnanimous enterprise.
Thwarted, impeded, restricted and de-
ceived by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company, wheeIiBg's progress has been
temporarily checked. She is outgrowing
this dwarfng process, however, and the
day is in sight when manufacturing enter
prise and commercial independence will
thrive all along the West Virginia terri
tory, through which this Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad passes, and dictate terms 10
these tidewaier magnates. The fresh,
pure and free mountain breezes Of Wes,
Virginia were never intended TO meet in
harmony with the bilgy, unpalatable, un.
refreshing, saline vapors Of the marshy
Chesapeake.